Fraternity-Testvériség, 2004 (82. évfolyam, 2-4. szám)
2004-04-01 / 2. szám
Page 11 Fraternity- Testvériség MARCH 15th CELEBRATION Hon. Ambassador: András Simonyi and President Rev. Stefan Torok at the Kossuth House On a sunny, balmy 60 degree day in Washington, DC. Hungarian Ambassador András Simonyi began the 1848 celebration with a remembrance and silent prayer for those who died in the recent Madrid, Spain bombing attacks. Then, he recounted the events on March 15th, 1848, the war of liberation from the Hapsburg monarchy. HRFA’s Chairman of the Board, George Dózsa, President Rev. Stefan Torok and CFO László Megyeri represented the Federation at the ceremony. The Ambassador said that in 1848, Hungary stood alone; it had no friends or allies. “But today, Hungary is not alone. It is a solid member of NATO and as the first of May, it becomes a member of the European Union." He continued, “Hungary’s voyage to freedom has come to an end. Now, it emerges as a modern nation. Next year, three anthems will be sung: The American national anthem, the Hungarian national anthem, and ‘Ode to Joy,’ the European Union anthem.” He stated that the threats of terrorism, health problems, and a stagnant economy can only be defeated if Hungary and America hold hands. “Disruptions to our way of life cannot be tolerated,” he concluded. Then, Gunther Burghardt, the Ambassador of the European Commission, which is the governing body of the European Union, spoke. Guests and office staff at the March 15th that Celebration: in the forefront Gyöngyi 1st Szenaky-Cultural Attaché at the Hungarian we will see Embassy, Teri Pflum and Noemi Heilman, “more Europe, not less America,” because May 1st will be a true landmark event and will foster more transatlantic connections. For 1,000 years, Hungary has been the center of geography, culture and history in Europe. He recalled 1974, when the U.S. returned St. Stephen’s crown and cited Hungary’s nomadic past, which symbolizes its history as well as its future. But 1848 He stated after May signaled the end of an era of revolutions and the beginning of popular democracy. Lajos Kossuth’s reception in America in 1851, the ’56 revolution, and the falling of the Iron Curtain opened Hungary’s gates to the world. When in 2001, President George Bush visited Hungary, peace and stability ushered in a new era and demonstrated the cultural riches of Hungary. Ambassador Simonyi’s passion for rock music is a clear example of how music from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s affected Hungarian life. And isn’t it ironic, Ambassador Burghardt continued, that the Hungarian Embassy is located on “Spring of Freedom Street”? He concluded by presenting the Hungarian Ambassador with a European Union flag that was made in America. Both Ambassadors then toasted this very special day. Following the reception, the Federation’s Chairman of the Board George Dózsa, President Rev. Stefan Torok and CFO László Megyeri accompanied Ambassador Simonyi to the U.S. Capitol to place a wreath at the bust of Lajos Kossuth. The ceremony was attended by the staffs of the Hungarian Embassy and U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos. Then, a reception was held at the Kossuth House, home of the Federation, where another wreath was laid under the statue of Lajos Kossuth and former U.S. President Roosevelt. During the reception, Ambassador Simonyi talked of the importance of March 15lh and the fact that the reputation of Kossuth keeps growing in America because of Hungary’s democratic status. HRFA President Torok spoke of the meaning of March 15th and Chairman Dózsa referred to Ady Endre’s note to the Hungarians living outside Hungary who at the time enjoyed freedoms that were denied those living inside its borders. President of the American Hungarian Federation, László Pastor, who drove from Pennsylvania for the occasion, attended. He stated that the March 15th celebration keeps Hungarian traditions alive in the U.S. and is a credit to the Federation. President, Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Mr. George Dózsa, Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Leslie László Megyeri, CFO, at the wreath-laying ceremony at the US Capitol
